Approved 4/29/04
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Members Present: Andy Schor, Mary Stid, Dianne Holman, Chris Swope, Randy Schafer, Chairperson Celentino and Tom Minter
Members Absent: None
Others Present: John Neilsen, Teri Younger and Christine Timmons
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Schor at 6:07 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the April 1, 2004 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. STID, TO APPROVE THE APRIL 1 MINUTES AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Swope
Additions to the Agenda
6a. Animal Control Advisory Board
6b. Animal Control Department - Letter of Resignation
Limited Public Comment
Ms. Timmons spoke to the Committee regarding her proposed investigation into Camp Highfields. She also expressed her continuing concerns regarding the Juvenile Justice Millage expenditures.
(Comm. Swope arrived at approximately 6:11 p.m.)
Chairperson Schor presented the video "A Child is Missing" for the Committee's viewing. He then stated Ingham County Sheriff's Office is the first County in Michigan to implement this program.
Mr. Neilsen distributed copies of the Resolution to the Committee. He explained the 911 Advisory Board met earlier today and approved the recommendation of Xybix Systems, Inc. The Advisory Board evaluated four proposals during the selection process.
In response to Comm. Schafer, Mr. Neilsen stated the City of Lansing prepared some of the information for the Resolution and the City of East Lansing concurs with the language. Mr. Neilsen further explained the Resolution authorizes the purchase of work stations in the Lansing and East Lansing offices. This expenditure was anticipated in the Project budget. Comm. Schafer stated he was not objecting to this item. He was only bringing attention to this issue.
MOVED BY COMM. STID, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SWOPE, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH XYBIX SYSTEMS, INC. FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM PROJECT CONSOLE FURNITURE PURCHASE.
Mr. Neilsen explained that Xybix's proposal came in $8,085 less than the budgeted amount for this expenditure. The 911 Advisory Board has requested this Committee approve the full budgeted amount in case the additional funds are needed for the furniture. The Project does have a contingency fund for the purpose of addressing unforeseen expenses.
Comm. Minter stated the County should have a process in place which requires that requests for additional funding be approved by the Controller's Office prior to the allocation of the requested funds. Mr. Neilsen stated he would inform the 911 Advisory Board of this suggestion. Comm. Minter further stated he believes the request of the Board is reasonable but that he wants prior approval before the allocation of the additional funds. Mr. Neilsen assured Comm. Minter that this process would take place when necessary.
The Committee agreed to the following Friendly Amendment to the Resolution:
WHEREAS, the Controller's Office is directed to approve requests for the additional funds prior to allocation of those funds to the 911 Advisory Board.
Mr. Neilsen will draft the specific language for the amendment.
Comm. Holman expressed her concern that the issue of the additional funds should be dealt with in a separate resolution. Comm. Stid stated she would normally agree with Comm. Holman's concern. However, the County's process takes some time. The Project has been ongoing for several months. She further stated she believes Comm. Minter dealt with this concern in his amendment. Comm. Holman stated the Resolution should clearly identify the bid amount.
In response to Comm. Holman's concern, Mr. Neilsen explained the Resolution would approve the expenditure of $191,415. If the 911 Advisory Board needs the additional funds, they will submit a request to the Controller's Office. The funds will not be allocated unless the Controller's Office approves the request. Mr. Neilsen also stated he believes the 911 Advisory Board if honestly watching their expenses.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY as amended.
MOVED BY COMM. SWOPE, SUPPORTED BY COMM. MINTER, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A TITLE CHANGE RECOGNIZING RE-ORGANIZATION OF A POSITION IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
Comm. Schafer raised the issue of labor relations. This issue was discussed briefly.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. STID, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION HONORING THOMAS WALTZ. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. SWOPE, SUPPORTED BY COMM. STID, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION SUBMITTING A VOTE OF THE ELECTORATE A SPECIAL MILLAGE FOR CONTINUING COMPREHENSIVE EMERGENCY TELEPHONE SERVICES (911 SERVICES)
Mr. Neilsen stated the County Attorney reviewed this item and item 5b. His response is included in the agenda packet. The County Attorney's letter indicates that, per MCL 484.1401(8), the County is limited to not more than one ballot question per year. Chairperson Schor stated his intention was to only place one ballot question before the voters this year.
Comm. Schafer stated he wants a commitment from this Committee that the second ballot question will be dealt with soon. The question in agenda item 5b is more beneficial to the public. Chairperson Schor gave Comm. Schafer his commitment to bring agenda item 5b up for discussion during this Committee's last meeting in 2004. He believes this issue deserves further debate. Comm. Schafer appreciated Chairperson Schor's commitment. However, he stated he would also need the assurances from the Commissioners that this item will be placed before the voters in 2006.
Comm. Holman stated this Committee should also review the issue of a cellular telephone surcharge. This was discussed further.
Comm. Schafer proposed the following Friendly Amendment:
This Committee will discuss agenda item 5b during the last Law Enforcement Committee meeting of this year.
Comm. Swope stated he could not commit to something without seeing the actual language. Chairperson Schor indicated his support for Comm. Schafer's Friendly Amendment with a lowering of one the assessments.
MOTION CARRIED with Comm. Schafer voting NO.
MOVED BY COMM. MINTER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HOLMAN, TO TABLE THE RESOLUTION FOR SUBMITTING A VOTE OF THE ELECTORATE A TELEPHONE SURCHARGE FOR CONTINUING ENHANCED EMERGENCY TELEPHONE SERVICES (911 SERVICES) UNTIL THE LAST LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING IN DECEMBER 2004. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Neilsen stated when the Board of Commissioners adopted Resolution #02-155, setting various fees for County services, the Controller's Office was directed to annual review the fees and to recommend adjustments. This review has been conducted. This information is being presented at the current round of Committee meetings as a discussion item. A resolution recommending any fee increases will be presented at the next round of meetings.
The Committee discussed the fees and their corresponding percentages. In response to Comm. Swope, Ms. Younger, Budget Director, stated there are no proposed changes to the targeted percentages. She will provide further information regarding this matter to this and the other liaison Committee meetings.
Mr. Neilsen informed the Committee that it would be approving a Resolution at its next meeting to set its priorities for the 2005 budget. A copy of the guidelines which were used for the development of the 2004 budget was included in the agenda packets for the Commissioners' review.
Mr. Neilsen stated the Community Agency Subcommittee reviewed the Commissioners' concerns regarding their first proposed changes to the Community Agency allocation process. Mr. Ambrose's memorandum, dated April 12, 2004, outlined their requests for a simpler approach to this process is included in the agenda packet.
Chairperson Schor stated he has reviewed Comm. Dedden's letter in response to specific complaints regarding the Animal Shelter. He is in support of this letter. Chairperson Celentino stated he feels comfortable with Comm. Dedden's letter. Chairperson Schor stated he would notify Comm. Dedden of this Committee's approval of her letter.
Mr. Neilsen stated Mr. Fleming, Animal Control Director, has submitted his letter of resignation from the County, effective September 24, 2004. The Board of Commissioners will need to appoint a new director. Chairperson Celentino stated he will present his recommendations for the search and the selection of a new director.
Comm. Schafer recommended this Committee contact Mr. Spyke and the Controller's Office to receive their valuable information.
Announcements: None
Public Comment
Ms. Timmons repeated her earlier concerns regarding the Juvenile Justice Millage expenditures.
The meeting adjourned at 7:04 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff